The Contingency Countdown: The Deadlines That Decide Your Sale

Parking meters have a way of turning a relaxed lunch into an unexpected expense. A few minutes over can leave someone returning to a ticket on the windshield.

Deadlines do not care how good the lunch was.

Neither do contingency periods.

In California, the standard purchase contract gives buyers a set number of days to complete inspections, secure financing, and review disclosures. Until those contingencies are removed, a buyer can often walk away and keep their deposit. Your home is off the market, but your sale is not locked in.

Here is how to stay in control of the countdown:

Track Every Deadline. Know exactly when each contingency expires. A missed date on either side can shift leverage in a hurry.

Push for Removal in Writing. When a deadline passes without a contingency removal, California allows sellers to send a formal notice asking the buyer to perform. That notice keeps the deal moving instead of drifting.

Shorter Can Be Stronger. A buyer who offers shorter contingency periods is offering you less risk. When comparing offers, that can be worth more than a small bump in price.

The market is fair, but it is not forgiving. Your sale is not safe until the contingencies are gone, so treat every deadline like it matters.

Next week, I am going to share the "Downsizing Decision" that so many San Diego homeowners are weighing right now.